Short Summary

Mali President, General Moussa Traore arrived in Ndjamena, Chad on Saturday (2 December) after visiting Khartoum where the Western Sahara dispute was discussed by meeting of a committee formed by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)
SYNOPSIS: Chad presently has fifteen hundred French troops stationed on its soil.

Description

Mali President, General Moussa Traore arrived in Ndjamena, Chad on Saturday (2 December) after visiting Khartoum where the Western Sahara dispute was discussed by meeting of a committee formed by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)
SYNOPSIS: Chad presently has fifteen hundred French troops stationed on its soil. Both Chad and Mali are former French colonies and continue to receive backing from the Paris government. At the so-called 'wise men' committee meeting in Khartoum, General Traore was elected to the sub-committee formed to air the restoration of peace and security in the Western Sahara. He was greeted by Chad Head of State, General Felix Malloum and Prime Minister, Hissene Habre.

The two countries have much in common. Economic development of both is restricted by the drought-stricken Sahol region which extends across Africa three thousand miles South of the Sahara desert.

President Traore's role in trying to settle the Western Sahara dispute is of importance to both countries. Chad had its own experience of internal conflict. French forces were needed to stop the recent Southern advance of Libyan-backed Frolinat rebels in a war that has lasted for twelve years.